JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Enterovirus D68 virus continues to make its rounds. At least 21 states have reported cases of the rare virus, which was first reported in the Midwest.
It has been suspected of infecting children across the country with severe respiratory illness, and now it's migrating to the Northeast.
Health experts say the virus typically pops up around back-to-school time. They caution that it's on the move and could potentially hit every U.S. state.
"Whether or not your child has asthma, that would be the time to call your doctor and say, 'Listen, this is unusual or more than I think my child usually gets,'" said Mobeen Rathore, chief of infectious diseases at UF Health Jacksonville.
This marks the first mass outbreak on record for the virus. It typically affects young children with asthma and other breathing problems.
Rathore said there are many different kinds of enteroviruses, such as some common colds. But D68 is a different breed that's more severe.
"Particularly if they are asthmatic and on the medicine doing just fine and then suddenly are having more problems, that's the child you really want to get to your doctor," Rathore said.
Some mild symptoms of Enterovirus D68 to watch for include fever, runny nose, sneezing, cough and body and muscle aches.
"Our antennas are up. We are vigilant, working with the Health Department closely at the children's hospital, and we have not seen a case yet," Rathore said. "And we hope we won't, but if we do, we are ready."
Rathore said there is no treatment for the virus, but it is manageable with certain medication, and a child will eventually recover.
For as large as the outbreak is, this virus is seasonal, so it's likely to go away by winter.